Arrangement of panels for constituting display units and similar

ABSTRACT

The arrangement comprises panels which are constituted of a front sheet and of a back sheet having in each angle a cut delimiting a small tongue for introduction of a locking device comprising at least two arms placed at right angle.

United States Patent [191 Lechene Dec. 17, 1974 ARRANGEMENT OF PANELS FOR CONSTITUTING DISPLAY UNITS AND SIMILAR Bernard Louis Lechene, Clichy, France Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Glory Impression Cartonnage,

Asnieres, l-lauts-de-Seine, France Filed: Dec. 8, 1972 Appl. No.: 313,397

US. Cl 52/293, 52/582, 52/758 D, 248/460 Int. Cl. E04c 1/10 Field of Search 403/173; 52/293, 483, 582, 52/585, 520, 596, 753 D, 758 D; 160/184; 248/174, 460; 403/173 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1971 Downing 248/174 X 1,398,852 11/1921 Gilbert 52/753 D 2,895,696 7/1959 Mergenthaler 248/174 X 3,734,446 5/1973 Crosson 248/460 1,301,797 4/1919 Ziegler 248/174 X 3,023,725 3/1962 Boyd 248/174 X 2,056,328 10/1936 Price 52/483 X 748,746 1/1904 Kelsey 52/582 X Primary ExaminerWilliam H. Schultz Attorney, Agent, or FirmBr0wdy and Neimark 20 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEU BEE] H974 SHEET 3 BF 5 Flam.

ARRANGEMENT OF PANELS FOR CONSTITUTING DISPLAY UNITS AND SIMILAR The present invention relates to a new arrangement for fitting together panels designed to constitute advertising display units, decorative elements for shop windows and similar; and arrangement may be easily assembled or taken apart and when taken apart may be packed in a flat condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The arrangement of panels designed to constitute display units and similar devices is characterized in that each panel is constituted by a square angled plate, said plate being provided on one side thereof and near such square angle with a cut, said cut delimiting a flap for introducing a connecting component comprising at least two right angled arms delimiting in thickness thereof a lateral groove encasing corresponding angle of the panel, whereby several panels are joined together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the panels utilized in the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the connecting component of the invention.

FIGS. 3 to 5 are sectional views taken along line III- III of FIG. 2 and showing different variants of embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an arrangement made according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a rear side of a particular panel.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a realization of a supporting pole.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are respectively a perspective view and an elevation view showing two characteristic positions into which can be placed the'supporting pole of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a detail of embodiment of a supporting pole.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an addi tional characteristic of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line XIIIXIII of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an arrangement of panels made according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows how are realized the panels utilized according to the invention. Each of said panels comprises a first sheet 1 made of cardboard or similar, eventually having graphic signs, particularly advertising information; and the four edges la are folded on the rear of the first sheet forming the front side of the panel. On the folded edges 10, which are preferably surrounding the whole panel, there is placed, for example through glueing, a second sheet 2 constituting the back side of the panel. Thus the assembly forms a kind of resisting body though the sheets 1 and 2 can be thin. Besides, a hollow space 3 is delimited between said sheets 1 and 2.

For constructing the arrangement of the invention, a cut 4 is formed in the vicinity of each of the angles of the constituted panel, in the back side 2 thereof, said cut 4 delimiting a small tongue 5 which can slightly bend into the space 3.

In view of assembling together any number of the panels of FIG. 1, connecting components are utilized. FIG. 2 shows a component providing the connection of four adjacent panels. As explained in the following disclosure the connecting component can be easily designed to assemble only two panels or even to be simply fixed to only one panel in view of constituting a protective mitre-joint.

The connecting component is constituted in onepiece from a part made of synthetic resin, for example of polyethylene, or polystyrene, said part being advantageously manufactured through moulding and delimiting arms 6, 6a, 6b, respectively placed at right angles. In the embodiment in FIG. 2 a cross-brace is thus formed.

Each arm comprises, in the median portion thereof, a solid web 7 which can be easily seen in FIG. 3, on each side of said web is delimited a groove or hollow portion 8 formed by two wings 9, 9a. The wings 9a of two successive arms delimit further a blade 10 provided, at the end thereof, with a protuberance 11 forming a hook.

It is advantageous, as shown in FIG. 3, that the web 7 presents a small groove 12 on at least one of its two sides.

When referring to FIG. 6, connecting components similar to the component shown in FIG. 2 are shown at A and B, and in their hollow portions are placed the angles of a first row of panels a, b, c which are thus connected between each other and also connected to a second row of panels d, e, and to a panel f which will be placed as shown by an arrow directed towards the connecting component B. When the angles of the above mentioned panels are introduced into the hollow portions 8, the hook 11 formed at the end of each blade 10 slightly raises the small tongue 5 of the back side of each panel and gets locked on the bottom 4a of the cut 4, thus ensuring immobilization of the panels.

In order to give a base seat to the panels, supports 13 are utilized, the edge of said supports directed towards the panels being advantageously engaged into one of small grooves 12 designed into the web 7.

To provide a good locking of the supports 13, it is possible as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to design holes 14 are placed at some distance into the web 7 for introducing fingers formed by the supports. It is also possible, as shown in FIG. 4, to design protuberances 15 on one side or on the two sides of the web 7, said protuberances 15 being provided with holes 16 for hooking the supports or other components.

FIG. 5 shows that the web 7 can also have a thinner portion 17, thus providing to fold the connecting component to cause some of the successive panels to extend in a different plane and, in such a case, it is of course possible to assemble them without being necessary to utilize a support 13.

Of course, it would not be departing from the scope of the present invention in replacing the thinner portion 17 enabling to fold the connecting component by a joint of a different realization.

FIG. 6 shows that it is possible that the connecting component be not provided with four arms; actually at the upper portion of FIG. 6, connecting components C and D are constituted by a half portion of the connecting component of FIG. 2. Moreover, on the right hand side of FIG. 6, another component designated by E is constituted by a quarter pan of the component of FIG.

2 and thus constitutes only a protective rnitre for the edge of the panel f.

FIG. 7 shows a modified panel in which the sheet 2 constituting the back side has a cut and a small tongue 21 that is folded away to delimit an opening 22, preferably triangular.

FIG. 14 shows how to use the panels of FIG. 7 to give a seat to panels otherwise assembled by means of connecting components 23 with two, three or four arms. In this Figure supporting poles 24 are designed, said poles 24 being constituted by a rectangular sheet made of thick cardboard in which are pre-formed, as shown in FIG. 8, three parallel longitudinal folds 25 and, for example, two transverse folds 26 and 27 delimiting three segments 28, 28a, and 28b.

The two transverse folds 26, 27 are not parallel and diverge from a distance which is determined in relation with the width of the cardboard in order that the end segments 28 and 28b be entirely folded back on the median segment 28a, as shown on FIGS. 9 and 10.

It is important that the total length of the cardboard forming each pole 24, and also the width of the same, be selected in order that this cardboard, when it is folded and when its three segments are bearing flat the one against each other, be entirely comprised into the quadrilateral delimited by a panel, as the one represented in mixed lines in FIG. 10. Thus, the panels and the poles provided for supporting them can be piled-up on each other and placed in only one package, for example in a cardboard box, thus facilitating considerably their storage and their handling.

With further reference to FIG. 8, it is to be noticed that a base 29 can be easily placed at one end of the poles 24, said base 29 having a substantially T-shape and being placed, through glu'eing or hooking, by means of its arm 290, between two pre-formed folds 25, preferably near one of the lateral sides of the vertical support. In the example represented in said FIG. 8, the supporting pole has three folds 25 and thus said folds delimit four elements, the two lateral elements overlapping each other upon the folding step along the preformed folds 25. The pole 24 thus forms an element having a triangular cross-section and which is rigid since the folds 26, 27 are not placed in a same plane when the supporting pole is folded back along the preformed folds 25.

It is further advantageous, as shown in FIG. 11, that a slot 30 be made in the base 29 to enable engagement of the lower edge of a panel into said slot, thus ensuring a good locking of the base, which means a good locking of the pole with the assembled panels.

The cardboard forming the supporting poles 24 can be provided (FIGS. 12 and 13), near the one end thereof, with cut tongues 31 which can be slightly folded outwards. Pole units having an important height may then be made by engaging the end of pole, as that designated by 24a in FIG. 12, into another pole 24, the tongues 31 forming kind of stops limiting the engagement of the pole 24a. To make said engagement, it is not necessary to design vertical support having different widths; especially when made of cardboard, the enproviding if four folds are designed to give to the poles a rectangular cross-section and if five folds are designed to give to the poles a pentagonal crosssection, etc. It is obvious that the shape of the small tongues 21 must be adapted and that said tongues 21 could also delimit a passage of circular shape.

The panels such as described in the above disclosure can, if required, be constituted with covers for housing cords or other objects for displaying the same.

I claim:

1. A panel arrangement comprising:

at least two rectangular panels each including a cut formed near at least one angle of said panel, said cut extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to the bisectrix of said angle,

a connector comprising:

at least two right-angled arms and protruding means including a hook member between each of said two right-angled arms for insertion in one of said cuts of said panels,

whereby a self-locked connection is provided between said protruding means and said out in which said protruding means is inserted; and

first and second elongated members connected to and substantially parallel to said right angled arms and spaced apart from each other by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said panel, whereby a lateral groove is formed for receiving the angled portion of said panels.

2. Arrangement as set forth in claim I, wherein each panel comprises a first sheet forming a front side and a second sheet forming a back side, said first and second sheets being assembled together with interposition of a separating piece to form a substantially hollow body, said cut being provided in said second sheet.

3. Arrangement as set forth in claim 2, characterized is that the edge of at least one of the first and second sheets is bent and forms said distance piece.

4. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises removable supporting means.

5. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connector comprises two right angled members connected by a web, each of said members forming a lateral groove for encasing two angles of two adjacent panels.

6. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connector comprises four right angled members delimiting a cross with two webs crossing each other and on each side of which are laterally protruding wings delimiting grooves, whereby said component makes possible connection of four adjacent panels.

7. The arrangement set forth in claim 1, further comprising a support plate; and

wherein said connector further comprises right angled elongated members substantially perpendicular to said angled arms and space apart therefrom by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said support plate, whereby a groove perpendicular to the plane of the connector is formed for receiving said support plate.

8. Arrangement as set forth in claim 7, wherein the web thickness of the connector comprises anchorage means connectable to the support plate for ensuring a base for panels assembled by the connector.

9. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said at least two right angled arms of said connector are joined by a web comprising hinging, means, whereby adjacent panels connected by the connector can be placed in the arrangement with a variable angle therebetween.

10. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said hinging means are constituted by a thinner portion in the web.

11. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the anchorage means comprise apertures designed in the web thickness for engagement of fingers provided on the supports and other elements ensuring a base for the panels assembled by the connector.

12. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising connecting pins; and

wherein the anchorage means comprise protuberances with apertures for engagement of the connecting pins.

13. Arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a support and wherein at least one of the panels has a small tongue provided on the back side thereof for receiving said support to ensure a base for the panels assembled by the connector.

14. Arrangement as set forth in claim 13, wherein said support comprises a pole consisting of a rectangular sheet folded along a plurality of pre-formed lengthwise folds, such that each of said poles delimit in cross section a polygon having angles thereof being formed by said pre-formed folds, said pole being inserted in said small tongue.

15. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 14, wherein said rectangular sheet is further provided with transverse oblique folds delimiting at least three segments which can be flat folded on each other in a space delimited by the polygon formed by one of said panels.

16. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 14, wherein a base is fixed at one end of said pole.

l7. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said base is substantially in the shape of a reversed T, having a bar portion and a free branch portion said bar portion of the T bearing on a supporting surface and said free branch portion of the T being fixed to one end of said pole.

18. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said base has a slot for engagement of an edge of one of said panels.

19. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 14, further including an extension, constructed in the same manner as said pole, containing small tabs cut near one end of said extension to form stops limiting engagement of said extension into said pole.

20. The arrangement set forth in claim 1, wherein said panels further comprise a pair of cuts extending from said perpendicular cut along a direction substantially parallel to the bisectrix of said angle, whereby a flexible flap is formed by said parallel cuts and said perpendicular cut. 

1. A panel arrangement comprising: at least two rectangular panels each including a cut formed near at least one angle of said panel, said cut extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to the bisectrix of said angle, a connector comprising: at least two right-angled arms and protruding means including a hook member between each of said two right-angled arms for insertion in one of said cuts of said panels, whereby a self-locked connection is provided between said protruding means and said cut in which said protruding means is inserted; and first and second elongated members connected to and subStantially parallel to said right angled arms and spaced apart from each other by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said panel, whereby a lateral groove is formed for receiving the angled portion of said panels.
 2. Arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein each panel comprises a first sheet forming a front side and a second sheet forming a back side, said first and second sheets being assembled together with interposition of a separating piece to form a substantially hollow body, said cut being provided in said second sheet.
 3. Arrangement as set forth in claim 2, characterized is that the edge of at least one of the first and second sheets is bent and forms said distance piece.
 4. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises removable supporting means.
 5. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connector comprises two right angled members connected by a web, each of said members forming a lateral groove for encasing two angles of two adjacent panels.
 6. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connector comprises four right angled members delimiting a cross with two webs crossing each other and on each side of which are laterally protruding wings delimiting grooves, whereby said component makes possible connection of four adjacent panels.
 7. The arrangement set forth in claim 1, further comprising a support plate; and wherein said connector further comprises right angled elongated members substantially perpendicular to said angled arms and space apart therefrom by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said support plate, whereby a groove perpendicular to the plane of the connector is formed for receiving said support plate.
 8. Arrangement as set forth in claim 7, wherein the web thickness of the connector comprises anchorage means connectable to the support plate for ensuring a base for panels assembled by the connector.
 9. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said at least two right angled arms of said connector are joined by a web comprising hinging, means, whereby adjacent panels connected by the connector can be placed in the arrangement with a variable angle therebetween.
 10. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said hinging means are constituted by a thinner portion in the web.
 11. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the anchorage means comprise apertures designed in the web thickness for engagement of fingers provided on the supports and other elements ensuring a base for the panels assembled by the connector.
 12. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising connecting pins; and wherein the anchorage means comprise protuberances with apertures for engagement of the connecting pins.
 13. Arrangement as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a support and wherein at least one of the panels has a small tongue provided on the back side thereof for receiving said support to ensure a base for the panels assembled by the connector.
 14. Arrangement as set forth in claim 13, wherein said support comprises a pole consisting of a rectangular sheet folded along a plurality of pre-formed lengthwise folds, such that each of said poles delimit in cross-section a polygon having angles thereof being formed by said pre-formed folds, said pole being inserted in said small tongue.
 15. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 14, wherein said rectangular sheet is further provided with transverse oblique folds delimiting at least three segments which can be flat folded on each other in a space delimited by the polygon formed by one of said panels.
 16. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 14, wherein a base is fixed at one end of said pole.
 17. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said base is substantially in the shape of a reversed T, having a bar portion and a free branch portion said bar portion of the T bearing on a supporting surface and said free branch portion of the T being fixed tO one end of said pole.
 18. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said base has a slot for engagement of an edge of one of said panels.
 19. Arrangement, as set forth in claim 14, further including an extension, constructed in the same manner as said pole, containing small tabs cut near one end of said extension to form stops limiting engagement of said extension into said pole.
 20. The arrangement set forth in claim 1, wherein said panels further comprise a pair of cuts extending from said perpendicular cut along a direction substantially parallel to the bisectrix of said angle, whereby a flexible flap is formed by said parallel cuts and said perpendicular cut. 